Tag: animals

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Farmyard Staple

ellenparkerwrites

They’ve been a constant presence on farms in the United States and many other countries for generations. In recent years they’ve become rather popular in certain suburbs.

They require shelter and a fence if you want to be a good neighbor in the suburbs. These items are also a good idea if you want to be able to find their eggs in a timely manner and or catch one for supper.

The chickens on our farm (up to 600 laying hens) lived their adult lives inside. The greatest value was the eggs we sold to a broker. The bonus was the taste of the few roosters mixed with the hens.

The farms, and some of the village households, in the sweet historical romance, New Dreams, kept a few chickens. Louisa, in the bakery, was always glad for the gift of a few extra for the cakes and cookies.

For more information on this 1851 story set in Illinois, click here: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Friday? Did you say Friday?

ellenparkerwrites

Some occupations are intense. You need to stay alert every moment on shift. The boss wants the project to keep moving. Deadline’s approaching!

Thanks to organized labor, millions of American workers end the workweek on Friday. They look forward to having two days away from the factory or office. Whether they use this time to relax, do chores and errands for their family, or work a second job in an “essential” sector is their choice. The boss from the first paragraph is not involved.

This particular creature, lives and works in the same place. Perhaps he looks forward to weekends with a different blend of people to watch. Or…perhaps his favorite is the school groups which visit during the week.

When I find a good viewing spot — I give it my best effort. After all, a bear needs to take a rest from entertaining duties.

Funny thing: Not one person from the other side of the glass wants to give me a manicure.

Comfort Zone, a sweet contemporary romance, includes a visit/date at the St. Louis Zoo. Click on the link below to find out more about this story full of second chances. https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Dressed for the Season

ellenparkerwrites

It’s smart to consider the season before you dress for the day. Perhaps you listen to a favorite radio or television report. Or take a glance out a window.

Raining? Better locate the umbrella or rain coat.

Snowing? Where did I last see my boots?

Winter? That’s the current season in the Northern Hemisphere. Consider an extra layer, thickness dependent on your exact location.

Our animal friends — they grow their own. Dogs, cattle, horses — all grow a thicker coat in the fall and hang on to it until well into spring. Even this camel at the zoo grew a fine winter coat and continued to wear it into April.

Yes, tomorrow’s camel day, Wednesday, hump day. Do you suppose this fellow celebrates twice?

No camels specifically mentioned in Comfort Zone, a sweet contemporary romance. However, the characters live in St. Louis and have been known to visit the exact zoo where this one lives. Do you suppose they took a similar photo? Check out the book here: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Caution: Ice Ahead

ellenparkerwrites

Winter weather, especially in the American Midwest, is unpredictable. One day the sidewalks are clear and brown grass is peaking through thin spots in the snow. The next day you and your shovel struggle to arrive at the mailbox. And don’t forget the ice!

Whether it arrives in a storm of its own — or results from a daytime thaw and freezing night — a person needs to be cautious.

Ice? Yes, we can walk on ice. Just let us finish this grooming session before we demonstrate.

Snow and ice arrive annually in fictional Crystal Springs, WI. Check out Starr Tree Farm, (currently on sale for 99 pennies) for a sweet, winter romance full of second chances. https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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Let me think on it

ellenparkerwrites

A reasonable response when faced with a question.

Of course, the type of question will influence the amount of “thinking” time required.

Which flavor ice cream? Take the umbrella? Most days, these questions require only a moment or two to decide.

Should I resign my job? Marry the woman/man beside me? These are the sort of decisions which require careful thought. Often you find yourself following the options — will I be able to find another job? Can I actually afford to retire? Do I want to live with that other person the rest of my life?

What do you imagine this Longhorn is thinking?

Silly humans: holding up little rectangles at everything? Or: almost time for a drink of water?

Laura Starr Tanner is faced with several decisions in the sweet romance novel, Starr Tree Farm. Where in Crystal Springs should she open her books and office supply store? Is Brad, the grown-up “boy down the road” trustworthy?

Currently on sale — I urge readers of sweet romance to check out this small town story. https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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Welcome to February

ellenparkerwrites

Hi! Just me popping up to wish you a pleasant Ground Hog Day!

Did you know today is the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox?

So…hang in there. Winter will yield to spring before I get another decent nap. Oh — be sure to include pork sausage in today’s menu.

This black-tailed prairie dog digs at the St. Louis Zoo. Scared of his shadow? I don’t think so. He and his friends are experts at tag and hiding.

Illinois hosted miles and miles of prairie in 1851. However, I’d expect to find a woodchuck rather than the ancestor of this fine fellow above.

For a sweet romance featuring humans — plus a nod to horses — check out New Dreams. The German immigrants find much new and strange in America.

Find the book here: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Powerful Number

ellenparkerwrites

One…two…three…Go!

You have until the count of three to _______ (fill in the blank).

Small, medium, large.

Good, better, best.

Trios and triangles pop up in everyday life.

The puzzle, not the horses, show up often in my household. Look at the balance in the picture. The shapes and colors in the positions of the horses direct the viewer’s eye toward the center.

This classic arrangement is a good place to end this blog’s month of puzzles. Soon the photos will be of other things — TBA.

Horses played a vital role in daily life in fictional Elm Ridge, Illinois. Strength, size, and intelligence make them excellent minor characters in New Dreams, a sweet romance set in 1851. More book information here: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Snack Time

ellenparkerwrites

Ooo…that looks good. Time to nibble and check out the taste.

Are your eating habits like a bird? Peck, peck, peck to anything that looks or smells appealing? You know who you are — the cookie dough eaters — the taste testers — the burned fingertip people.

In this puzzle, the artist gives us a variety of birds and multiple types of food. One question — where are the squirrels? In my limited experience, squirrels would run off with the cobs of corn in less than a minute and make quick work of much of the seed.

The feeder in this picture is interesting as a stand alone project. I can see these plans in a school shop class. Measure, cut, notch, nail, and drill — lots of techniques.

Laura Tanner, the heroine in Starr Tree Farm, observes but does not feed the winter birds. Join her and the farm security team as she learns to maneuver on snowshoes. More information on this sweet romance with a touch of suspense here: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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Whoooo’s set a S.M.A.R.T. Goal?

ellenparkerwrites

Happy New Year! Did you state a resolution for 2024? Have you broken it yet?

Here’s some advice from a friend: Make your goals S.M.A.R.T. — like me.

Let’s use a common resolution/goal for an example.

I’m going to lose weight.

Make it: Specific — I’m going to lose 10 pounds.

    Measurable — I’m going to lose 10 pounds according to my home scale.

    Achievable — Ten pounds is still more than my ultimate target weight.

    Relevant — My clothes (or one particular item) will fit better.

    Time bound — Deadline is March 31, 2024.

So to re-phrase: I’m going to lose 10 pounds according to my home scale by March 31, 2024.

This is an example — this author should, but did not, set this goal.

Starr Tree Farm, a sweet romance, is set in small town Wisconsin. Join Laura, and her goals, with a low calorie drink and a warm winter wrap.

Here’s the link to the Kindle edition: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

  

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Cute Contest

ellenparkerwrites

The presents are open. The candles are half-gone. The food has been sampled — or devoured.

Are you one of the many that returned to regular work today? Or do you have a vacation? Or perhaps retired and able to set your own schedule?

The characters in this puzzle were captured before the ribbon-pulling paper ripping began. But they were glad to participate.

Which one do you want to live at your house?

Dogs and other animals appear in cameo and supporting roles in several of my sweet romance novels. Check out the antics and security services of a mixed-collie pair in Starr Tree Farm. A great addition to that ereader you found under the tree.

Book information here: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw